British School of Osteopathy’s Chapman Clinic celebrates ten years of treating people with HIV

Posted By Mark Anderson | Tags: Chapman Clinic, HIV | Comments (0)

Thousands of people with HIV have benefited with free osteopathy via the British School of Osteopathy’s Chapman Clinic, which in November 2011 will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The clinic accepts referrals from many HIV treatment centres as well as self-referrals from patients themselves."

People with HIV face a raft of extra health challenges as they age, including muscle and joint pain, stiffness, fatigue and problems with mobility. People may also struggle with side effects while taking anti-HIV drugs sometimes to the extent of threatening their ability to comply with treatment. Osteopathic care can bring improvements to quality of life by addressing the particular musculoskeletal problems people living with HIV can experience. In addition, as a “hands on” therapy, osteopathy may have additional benefits to people who may be stigmatised and experiencing physical isolation.

The Chapman Clinic runs three times a week in the BSOs’ clinical centre, the largest musculoskeletal care outpatient clinic in Europe. Treatment is provided by osteopathic students supervised and supported by tutors who have a specialist interest in HIV/AIDS, drug therapies, and the associated musculoskeletal presentation.

Clinic Founder, Paul Blanchard says: “We aim to encourage maximum function, mobility and independent living within the limitations of each patient’s ability”.

BSO Principal, Charles Hunt says: “We are immensely proud of Paul’s work at the Chapman Clinic. However, this work wouldn’t have been possible without visionary funders, including the Peter Moores Foundation, the Elton John Aids Foundation, the Monument Trust and the Ernest Butler Trust”.

In the words of Dr Mike Youle Director of HIV Clinical Research, Royal Free Hospital: “Of all the forms of medicine other than traditional HIV NHS services that I have worked with over the past 17 years, this seems to be one of the most successful".

However, the most important feedback comes from our service users, a regular user sums up why this service is needed more than ever before:

“Having access to, and being a regular patient at the Chapman Clinic over a number of years has given me much to be grateful for. Whether alleviating overwhelming pain or maintaining my mobility the treatment allows me to function at a reasonable level and I am able to continue resistance exercise at the gym as part of my health regime. The treatment itself also prevents a substantial amount of everyday pain medication from being significantly higher”.

To book an appointment at the Chapman Clinic, please call 020 7089 5360. For more information on the clinic please contact Paul Blanchard on 020 7089 5330 p.blanchard@bso.ac.uk